Bill Preempts Local Restrictions On Bow, Crossbow Hunting

Local governments would no longer be allowed to restrict bow hunting, and crossbow hunters would get their own deer hunting season under two measures that passed the Wisconsin Senate Tuesday.

The bill preempting any local restrictions on bow hunting or crossbow hunting passed along party lines, with Democrats like state Senator Julie Lassa of Stevens Point questioning the need for the plan.“I'm really concerned that you're opening this up so that people can be using bows and arrows and crossbows in populous areas where children or other individuals may unintentionally be struck and hurt.”

Senate GOP Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald responded: “We trust responsible sportsmen to discharge their weapons in a way that we have a long heritage and we have, certainly, many different statutes in place that address that.”

An earlier version of the plan would have allowed for hunting right next to school grounds, but the version that passed the Senate would keep a 1,700 foot barrier around schools. The bill to allow for a crossbow deer hunting season passed on a voice vote. Backers say it will bring new hunters into a sport that needs it. Some traditional bow hunters have fought the bill in the past, arguing it could end up limiting the amount of deer they're able to harvest.

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